Published on: Thu, 15 Nov 2018
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant BASF SE submitted a request to the competent national authority in Germany to set an import tolerance for the active substance pyraclostrobin in rice. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive a maximum residue level (MRL) proposal for rice. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of p...

Health Canada is advising Canadians that two versions of “Vita-X Revitalizing Capsules” by Lanlay Healthmetic Inc., promoted for “long lasting vital energy for men,” may pose serious health risks. One version contains seven capsules and has “NPN 80053009,” a Natural Product Number (NPN) indicating Health Canada authorization, on the label. The second version contains one capsule, has no NPN on the label and is not authorized by Health Canada.

Published on: Mon, 12 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant BASF Agro BV submitted a request to the competent national authority in the United Kingdom to set import tolerances for the active substance teflubenzuron in grapefruits and mandarins imported from Brazil and for broccoli imported from Paraguay. The data submitted were found to be sufficient to derive maximum residue level (MRL) proposals for grapefruits and broccoli. The MRL derived ...

Published on: Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) assessed the safety of the additive Ln 1,4‐benzene dicarboxylic acid (with Ln = La, Eu, Gd, Tb) for use in food contact materials. It is a family of mixtures combining the four lanthanides lanthanum (La), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd) and/or terbium (Tb) in different proportions as their 1,4‐benzene dicarboxylate complexes, used as a taggant in plastics for authentication and ...

Published on: Fri, 02 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources submitted two requests to the competent national authority in Denmark to set import tolerances for the active substance haloxyfop‐P in linseed and rapeseed. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive maximum residue level (MRL) proposals for linseed and rapeseed. Adequate analytical metho...

FDA takes action to stop the use of lead acetate in hair dyes. FDA will no longer allow lead acetate to be used in certain hair coloring products based on data that demonstrate that there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm from the use of this color additive.

There is a small increased risk of developing basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in long-term use of blood pressure medicine containing hydrochlorothiazide. This follows from a review of new studies and available data undertaken by the European Medicines Agency, EMA.

Published on: Mon, 22 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The applicant BASF Agro BV submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to evaluate the confirmatory data that were identified in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. To address the data gaps, residue trials on strawberries, onions, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, artichokes, leeks and rape seeds were submitted. The data gaps are considere...

Published on: Fri, 19 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The applicant, Nichino Europe Co. Ltd., submitted application request to the competent national authority in the Netherlands to evaluate confirmatory data that were identified for pyraflufen‐ethyl in the framework of the maximum residue level (MRL) review under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as not available. The submitted data were sufficient to confirm the MRLs for citrus fruits, tree nuts, pome fruits, stone fruits, table and wine grapes, curra...

Published on: Mon, 15 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant, BASF SE, submitted an application to the competent national authority in Greece to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance mepiquat in cotton seeds. The data submitted in support of the application were found to be sufficient to derive a MRL proposal for cotton seeds and the previously derived MRL proposals for animal commodities were found to be stil...

Apollo Food International Inc. of Long Island City, NY, is recalling its 2.469 ounce packages of “Mini Roll” food treats because they may contain undeclared eggs. Consumers who are allergic to eggs may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

Published on: Fri, 05 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board submitted a request to the competent national authority in the United Kingdom to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance epoxiconazole in beetroots. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive a MRL proposal for beetroots. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are...

Published on: Tue, 25 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum submitted a request to the competent national authority in Germany to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance flonicamid in radishes. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant ISK Biosciences Europe N.V. submitted a request to the competent national authority in the Ne...

Published on: Thu, 20 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Bayer CropScience AG submitted a request to the competent national authority in Germany to modify the existing maximum residue level (MRL) for the active substance clothianidin to accommodate the use on potatoes imported from Canada. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive a MRL proposal. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are availa...

Published on: Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
This Technical Report contains a description of the activities within the work programme of the EU‐FORA Fellowship on the risk assessment of white willow in food. The bark of different varieties of willow has had a long history of medical use as a means to reduce fever and as a painkiller. Willow bark is also used in weight loss and sports performance food supplements. The labelling of these products usually does not mention any restrictions to the length of...

Published on: Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Plant protection products (PPPs) are pesticides containing at least one active substance that drives specific actions against pests (diseases). PPPs are regulated in the EU and cannot be placed on the market or used without prior authorisation. EFSA assesses the possible risks of the use of active substances to humans and environment. Member States decide whether or not to approve their use at EU level. Furthermore, Member States decide at national level on ...

OTTAWA –Health Canada is sharing the results of its review of potential long-term health effects involving valsartan drugs that were found to contain the impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Health Canada scientists have assessed the available data to determine the potential increased risk of developing cancer, to help put the risk into context for Canadians.

Reflecting its uncompromising commitment to patient safety, Alcon today announced an immediate, voluntary market withdrawal of the CyPass Micro-Stent from the global market. In addition, Alcon advises surgeons to immediately cease further implantation with the CyPass Micro-Stent and to return any unused devices to Alcon. This decision and corresponding recommendation is based on an analysis of five-year post-surgery data from the COMPASS-XT long-term safety study.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FD...

Published on: Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Cyprus alongside with another 4 countries has participated successfully in the Grant Agreement GP/EFSA/DATA/2016/01‐GA 02, entitled: “Strategic Partnership with Cyprus on Data Quality”. The project was co‐financed by EFSA, aiming to help both EFSA and data providers from Member States to possess data of high quality in a quantitatively manageable way. The main objective of the grant agreement was the establishment of the data governance, coordination and imp...

Published on: Thu, 16 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SAS submitted a request to the competent national authority in Austria to set an import tolerance for the active substance mandestrobin in strawberries, table grapes and wine grapes. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive maximum residue level (MRL) proposals for the crops under consideration. Adequate analytica...

Published on: Mon, 13 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Arysta LifeSciences SAS submitted a request to the competent national authority in the United Kingdom to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRL) for the active substance fluoxastrobin in certain oilseeds. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for the oilseeds for which a modification was requested. Adequate analytical...

Published on: Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
This scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF Panel) deals with the safety evaluation of the recycling process General Plastic (EU register No RECYC153), which is based on the Starlinger Decon technology. The decontamination efficiency of the process was demonstrated by a challenge test. The input of this process is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes orig...

OTTAWA – Health Canada is warning Canadians of the potential risk of cancer relapse in patients with cancer of the blood and lymph nodes who have undergone stem cell transplant and are taking long-term azithromycin (Zithromax).

The antibiotic Zithromax, Zmax (azithromycin) should not be given long-term to prevent a certain inflammatory lung condition in patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a donor stem cell transplant. Results of a clinical trial found an increased rate of relapse in cancers affecting the blood and lymph nodes, including death, in these patients.

Fees are no longer charged for Phase I clinical trials and non-commercial clinical trials of medicines. This is the result of the Growth Plan for Life Science and the Budget for 2018. The new rules entered into force on 1 July 2018.

Several drugs containing the ingredient valsartan are being recalled by their manufacturers. An impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), was found in the valsartan used in these products. The valsartan was supplied by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. NDMA is a potential human carcinogen, which means that it could cause cancer with long-term exposure. Five companies have affected products, which are being recalled (identified in table below).

OTC oral health products containing benzocaine for the temporary relief of sore gums due to teething in infants or children should no longer be marketed. FDA is asking companies to stop selling these products for such use and requesting that companies add new warnings to all other benzocaine oral health products to describe certain serious risks.

An applicant intending to submit a marketing authorisation application for a veterinary medicinal product using the decentralised procedure with France acting as RMS has to inform the Anses-ANMV at least 2 months in advance.

The Danish Medicines Agency will launch an extensive modernisation of our IT systems from Thursday 8 June 2017 at 6pm to Tuesday 13 June 2017 at 8am. During this period, you may experience longer response times and some of our IT systems and forms will not be available.

As from 13 March 2015, Jakob Cold has been appointed Acting Director General of the Danish Health and Medicines Authority. Anne-Marie Vangsted will continue as Director with special responsibility for the DHMA's supervision.

On 1 February 2015, Anne-Marie Vangsted, Acting Head of Division, took up the position as Director with responsibility for supervision at the Danish Health and Medicines Authority. The new position as director was created as part of our action plan aimed at modernising the supervisory function, in which Anne-Marie Vangsted has played a key role since we presented the plan on 15 September 2014.

The Danish Health and Medicines Authority wishes to inform future applicants of the possibility to request for a time slot to applications for marketing authorisations through the decentralised procedure (DCP) where Denmark is acting as reference member state (RMS).

In this issue of Danish Pharmacovigilance Update: The Danish Health and Medicines Authority encourages doctors to be aware of suspected long-term adverse reactions from the use of SSRIs in children and adolescents.

In this issue of Danish Pharmacovigilance Update read about the risk that patients treated with statins develop diabetes, and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) and the risk of hypomagnesaemia with long-term use.

Diversity in research means more treatments work for more people. Join #ResearchDiversity Day on October 23rd for a day-long discussion of diversity in study recruitment and research. Join us! @Alzheimers_NIH pic.twitter.com/AwYhetCBiw

Even when Essure is no longer sold, the #FDA will remain vigilant in protecting patients who’ve already had this device implanted. We’ll continue to monitor adverse events and publicly communicate any new safety findings on this - and any other device. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-20/bayer-to-stop-selling-contraceptive-implant-after-threats-by-fda …

On Friday, Bayer said the permanent birth control device Essure would no longer be sold or distributed in the US for commercial reasons after 12/31/18. This came after FDA’s patient safety action in April restricting sale and distribution of the device and earlier agency actions

The concept paper will include discussion of and recommendations for the requirements for evaluation and development of medicinal products for the prevention and/or treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its long-term complications. Relevant topics for discussion include patient populations, endpoints, study methodology, and study duration.

CDC wants to see your #SunSafeSelfie! Photograph yourself with protections such as sunglasses, a hat, long-sleeves & sunscreen and share your pic on social media: https://goo.gl/jr1nP7 pic.twitter.com/hKJbKLnwni

I, Larry Kelly, Acting Deputy Secretary, Health Products Regulation Group, a delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Health for the purposes of section 23C of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, make the following instrument under paragraphs 23C(2)(a...

#DYK: Heart disease is the #1 killer of women? FDA is committed to helping women live longer by investing in heart health research. Learn more about FDA’s research about heart disease in women: https://go.usa.gov/xQN43 #NWHW #SABV pic.twitter.com/UKwBQ7XoRO